The flame retardant group is engaged in the development of halogen free ecofriendly flame retardants for use in textiles, bulk polymers and special surface coatings.

• Synthesize novel phosphorus-silicone-nitrogen-containing organic and inorganic flame retardants for polymeric materials.
• Elucidating the mode of action of flame retardants and thermal decomposition pathways of polymers through thermal degradation studies.
• Incorporation of flame retardants to polymeric substrates (fibers, fabrics, bulk polymers and wood surfaces) via coating, melt extrusion and polymerization. Evaluation of flame retardant properties of modified materials using small scale fire tests.
• Special emphasis is made to develop reactive flame retardants which could be bonded to surface or can be added as monomer in polymerization. Development of formaldehyde free reactive system for cellulose fibers
• Development of intumescent systems for coating and bulk polymer application
• Synthesis of flame retardant polymers

• Currently, we have several ongoing collaborative projects with various industrial partners together with CTI, Switzerland. We also have independent projects with international industrial partners.
• Future project funding regarding the development of flame retardants is expected from different funding agencies like SNF, CTI and EUROSTAR.

Contact

Dr. Sabyasachi Gaan
+ 41 58 765 76 11
sabyasachi.gaan@empa.ch

Dr. Axel Ritter
+41 58 765 77 82
axel.ritter@empa.ch

Dr. Matthias Neisius
+41 58 765 78 46
matthias.neisius@empa.ch